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Watts: The Story of Lutrell and Maxine

The Watts

Mr. and Mrs. Lutrell Watts dedicated their lives to serving the children of the Lower Valley community, however, never had children of their own. Upon Mrs. Watts' death in 2007, the property was willed to Mr. Larry Baumann, a former student and neighbor and Mrs. Watts' two brothers, Mr. George (deceased) and Mr. Aubrey Ellis.

Mr. Larry Baumann has been in regular contact with Northeast Lakeview College since the fall of 2006 when he responded to a Northeast Lakeview College letter of inquiry mailed to Mrs. Watts regarding the school building. Mr. Baumann, a mathematics teacher at Judson High School for 25 years and an adjunct instructor at San Antonio College for 12 years, and currently teaching at Northeast Lakeview College, expressed delight at the vision the College had for the Lower Valley School.

Mr. George Ellis' (deceased) three daughters share their father's inheritance left by Mr. and Mrs. Watts. The eldest daughter, Sherry Rodgers, from Fort Worth, Texas has visited briefly with Dr. Reno and Dr. Trevino and is pleased with the gifting of the school to Northeast Lakeview College.

The Community served by the Mr. and Mrs. Watts continues to admire and show gratitude for their commitment. A reunion of approximately 60 former Lower Valley School students still gathers every three years to reminisce about their school days at Lower Valley School. They bring their stories, artifacts and pictures of times past to share with each other at a local German restaurant.

Mr. and Mrs. Watts were active in local service clubs including the Lions and Lioness Clubs, Hermann Sons Lodge and Bexar and Turner Bowling Societies. They were very active in their church, Redeemer United Church of Christ in Zuehl, Texas, a rural community on the banks of the Cibolo creek in Guadalupe County.